Dinuba woman charged with assaulting an officer, criminal threats

A Tulare County woman accused of attacking a police officer is facing serious prison time — 19 years and four months, to be exact.

Lisa Mendez, 57, of Dinuba, was charged with brandishing a weapon against a peace officer and criminal threats, both are felonies.

Mendez was also charged with trespassing and violation of parole. She is currently on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, said Lt. Able Iriarte.

If convicted, her past felonies could factor into the sentence handed down by a Tulare County judge.

Police say the incident that most recently landed her behind bars happened on Monday, just blocks from Dinuba High School.

Officers responded to a home in the 300 block of South M Street for reports of an "unwanted person" who wouldn't leave the house.

When officers arrived, they confronted Mendez. Police said she was "uncooperative" with the officers and became combative. As officers tried to question the woman, she increasingly became more violent, police said.

Iriarte said at one point, Mendez grabbed a stick and "threatened an officer with it."

The officer fired a Taser to try and stop her. The Taser didn't work but Mendez backed away from the officer.

The threats weren't over, though, according to police.

Mendez picked up "some type" of lawn shears and began walking toward the officer. The officer opened fire, aiming for the woman's legs.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The officer involved was not hurt, Iriarte said.

The name of the officer who opened fire was not released. The officer is on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation into the shooting. The case will be forwarded to the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, where prosecutors will determine if the officer was justified.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department was called to handle the shooting portion of the investigation. Detectives remained in the area throughout the night collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.